Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/49

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for it: but one day it happened to ſnatch a cake ſhe was going to eat, and though there were twenty within reach, ſhe flew into a violent paſſion, and threw a ſtool at the poor creature, who was big with pup. It fell down—I can ſcarcely tell the reſt—it received ſo ſevere a blow, that all the young were killed, and the poor wretch languiſhed two days, ſuffering the moſt excruciating torture.

Jane Fretful, who was now angry with herſelf, ſat all the time holding it, and every look the miſerable animal gave her ſtung her to the heart. After its death ſhe was very unhappy, but did not try to conquer her temper. All the bleſſings of life were thrown away on her; and, without any real misfortune, ſhe was continually miſerable. If ſhe had planned a party of pleaſure, and the weather proved unfavourable, the whole day was ſpent in fruitleſs repining, or venting her ill-humour on thoſe who depended on her. If no diſappointment of that kind occurred, ſhe could not enjoy the promiſed pleaſure, ſomething

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